Op Ed: Listen to your mother!

My mom never fails to send me encouragement, kindness and advice on a daily basis, even at my ripe old age of 40. I’m more appreciative of it than my eyerolls let on, as I scroll through my Facebook in the early morning hours, looking at her shared pics of baby elephants splashing in water or Rumi quotes posted on my wall.

Many mornings I need that little ray of light to get me motivated as I send my own daughter off to school, waving frantically and shouting (as she rolls her eyes at me), “Breathe! Remember to smile and to breathe! It’s another beautiful day!”

And little bits of encouragement, just like those, are the ones that can make us smile, laugh and cry. Those little gems from Mom are a big part of what molds us as we grow into adults.

All I can really say is thanks, Mom, for helping me to be who I am.

I asked around for your input on this subject, for some of your most memorable – and laughable – motherly advice, and the list is pretty amazing. Thanks for sharing!

Jessica S., Virginia Beach, Va.:Mom on making things happen: “Put your wants and wishes in one hand and spit in the other. See what fills up first.”

Dan O., Indianapolis: “Keep your head up. You’re a great man and great things will come your way.”

Anne Scott B., Oxford, Miss.:Nana on family: “It doesn’t matter HOW you get them – it matters that you got them.”

Becca M., Indianapolis: “Keep your legs together.”

Holly T., Grand Rapids, Mich.:Mom on my plus size fashion: “Stop wearing all black. Are you in mourning? No, as you are young, beautiful and alive. You need color. Everyone needs color.”

Sherry B., Austin, Texas: “If you wear a funny hat, own it.”

Michael G., Berea, Ohio:Mom on child raising: “You spend the first year teaching them to walk and talk and the next 17 telling them to sit down and be quiet.”

KC C., Zionsville, Ind.: “Always stand straight, tall and honest.”

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Twinkle VanWinkle has more than 20 years of professional cooking under her apron strings, feeding thousands of friends, family and other folks. She baked apple pies for the “Oprah Winfrey Show” and has appeared on Food Network’s “The Best Of…” Along with producing dynamic lifestyle content for LIN Media, she is a mother, urban gardener, chef, musician and social media fanatic. Follow Twinkle on Foodspotting,Tumblr and Twitter.